Irish Football Association Begins Search for New Women's Senior Manager
The Irish Football Association (IFA) has announced that it has commenced preparations to recruit a new senior manager for the Northern Ireland women's football team, following the departure of Tanya Oxtoby.
The Australian coach left her position in November after two years at the helm to take on the role of head coach at Newcastle United in WSL2.
Oxtoby took charge of the team in September 2023, succeeding Kenny Shiels, who led Northern Ireland to their first-ever major tournament at Euro 2022.
Angela Platt, the director of women's football at the IFA, emphasized the importance of appointing the right leader to advance the team’s progress.
"This is a key appointment for the future of women’s football in Northern Ireland," Platt stated in a brief announcement. "We’ve made significant strides in recent years, and we are now focused on finding the right leader to take us even further. It’s an exciting time for the game, and we look forward to welcoming someone who shares our passion and vision."
No specific timeline has been set for announcing Oxtoby's successor; however, Platt noted that the IFA anticipates revealing the successful candidate once the selection process is finalized.
Northern Ireland, the only home nation without a friendly match scheduled during the current international window, will next compete in their opening qualifiers for the 2027 World Cup against Switzerland and Turkey in early March.